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Planning & Zoning Commission renews long‑standing earth‑excavation permit for Torrington Road site
Summary
The Winchester Town Planning and Zoning Commission approved a two‑year renewal of an earth‑excavation permit for a Torrington Road property, subject to existing conditions; the applicant and a town liaison spoke in favor and staff noted the application is largely a formality.
The Winchester Town Planning and Zoning Commission on April 28 approved a renewal of an earth‑excavation permit (PCC 25‑4) for a property on Torrington Road, renewing an authorization first issued in 1979 and allowing removal up to the previously stated limit.
The permit renewal was granted after a public hearing and brief discussion; the commission’s approval restated that all previously approved conditions remain in effect and that the permit is conditioned on the applicant’s submissions being accurate. The application lists Property ID O39158019B and references historic permit documentation dating to 04/11/1979 and subsequent plan revisions through 03/13/2025.
Applicant Pierre said the operation is largely a part‑time, hobby activity: “I very rarely work there … I probably spend maybe $200 a year there. It's more of a hobby than it is a business.” Troy Lemaire, Selectman and the planning and zoning liaison, spoke in favor of the renewal and tied support to local economic development priorities. Staff and commissioners noted the renewal process has been routine in prior cycles and that the commission could require additional conditions if information proved incomplete.
The commission’s motion to approve referenced the application materials, the topographic survey prepared by Robert Green Associates, and several historical plan revision dates; the commission approved the renewal by voice vote with no recorded roll call and directed that existing conditions continue to be enforced. The commission did not add new quantitative limits in the motion, but members discussed whether future renewals or newly filed applications should standardize hours and trucking/haul tracking.
The commission closed the public hearing and approved the permit renewal with the caveat that materially false or incomplete information could trigger modification, suspension or revocation of the permit. Staff said any substantial change to the operation could require a new application or additional public notice.
